Birchbox Shipping Checker
Check Your Shipping Eligibility
If you’ve ever opened a Birchbox and been surprised by the perfect sample of a serum you didn’t know you needed, you’re not alone. But if you’re outside the U.S., you might be wondering: Birchbox still ship to my country? The short answer is: it depends. Birchbox used to be a global beauty discovery favorite, but its shipping footprint shrank significantly after 2020. Today, it only ships to a handful of countries - and the list changes without warning.
Where Birchbox Currently Ships
As of November 2025, Birchbox ships directly only to the United States and Canada. That’s it. No more shipments to the UK, Australia, Germany, or France - countries where it once had a strong presence. If you live in the U.S. or Canada, you’ll get your monthly box delivered in 5-7 business days after it ships. Standard shipping is free for subscribers. Expedited shipping is available for a fee, but most people don’t need it.
For everyone else, Birchbox doesn’t offer direct international shipping. That means if you’re in the Netherlands, Brazil, or South Africa, you won’t see your country listed at checkout. Even if you use a U.S. shipping address or a package forwarder, Birchbox’s system often blocks orders flagged as international. Their fraud detection tools are strict, and they’ve cracked down hard on proxy shipping since 2022.
Why Birchbox Stopped Shipping to Most Countries
Birchbox shut down its international operations in 2020. The official reason? High costs and low profitability. Shipping beauty samples overseas meant dealing with customs fees, import taxes, complex regulations, and high return rates. One European customer told a beauty blog in 2019 that her box arrived with half the samples crushed or leaking - and she had to pay $22 in customs just to get it.
Plus, Birchbox’s business model relied on partnerships with local beauty brands. Outside the U.S., those partnerships became harder to manage. Brands wanted to control their own international distribution. So Birchbox pivoted. Instead of shipping boxes globally, they focused on growing their U.S. subscription base and launching direct retail partnerships with Ulta and Target.
By 2023, Birchbox had fully closed its European offices and stopped all international marketing. Their website now redirects non-U.S./Canada visitors to a simple message: “We currently only ship to the United States and Canada.” No alternatives. No waitlist. No exceptions.
What If You Live Outside the U.S. or Canada?
If you’re not in the U.S. or Canada, you still have options - but they’re not ideal.
- Use a package forwarding service: Companies like MyUS or Shipito let you rent a U.S. address. You can order Birchbox to that address, then forward it to your home. But here’s the catch: Birchbox often flags these addresses as high-risk. Many users report their orders being canceled without explanation. Even if it ships, you’ll pay $30-$60 in forwarding fees, plus customs charges on arrival.
- Buy from third-party sellers: Sites like eBay or Etsy sometimes have unopened Birchbox samples sold by resellers. Prices are inflated - often $50+ for a single box - and there’s no guarantee the products are fresh or authentic. Some boxes are months old, and the samples may have expired.
- Try local alternatives: Many countries now have their own beauty subscription boxes. In the UK, there’s Ipsy (via its UK site), Beauty Box UK, and Lovebox. In Australia, Boxycharm ships there directly. In Germany, BeautyBar offers monthly samples with local brands. These services often include products tailored to your skin type and region - and they ship without customs headaches.
What’s in a Birchbox (And Why It Still Matters)
Even with limited shipping, Birchbox remains popular in the U.S. and Canada because of what’s inside. Each box typically includes 5 full-size or sample-sized products - a mix of skincare, makeup, haircare, and sometimes fragrance. Brands like Drunk Elephant, Summer Fridays, Rare Beauty, and Glossier regularly appear. The selection is personalized based on your profile: skin type, concerns, color preferences.
For many, Birchbox is a discovery tool. It’s how people find new favorites without spending $30 on a full-size product they might hate. One subscriber in Toronto told me she discovered her go-to cleanser through Birchbox - and now buys it every month. That’s the point.
But if you’re outside North America, you’re missing out on that experience. And with Birchbox no longer updating its international shipping policy, it’s unlikely they’ll reopen service anytime soon.
Alternatives That Ship Globally
If you want the Birchbox experience but live abroad, here are the most reliable global options:
| Service | Ships To | Price (USD) | Sample vs Full-Size | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipsy | U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, EU | $13/month | Mostly samples | Yes - skin type, concerns |
| Boxycharm | U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand | $21/month | Mostly full-size | Yes - makeup preferences |
| Beauty Box UK | UK, Ireland, EU | £18/month | Half samples, half full-size | Yes - skin tone, concerns |
| Lovebox | UK, Ireland | £16/month | Mostly samples | Yes - preferences listed |
| BeautyBar | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | €19/month | 50/50 samples and full-size | Yes - skin type, fragrance preference |
These services all offer similar discovery features - and most handle customs and taxes for you. Ipsy, for example, ships to the UK with no extra fees. Boxycharm’s Australian customers get free returns. That’s the kind of service Birchbox used to offer - and why it’s still missed.
Can You Get Birchbox Through Retailers?
Birchbox sells its own products - like the Birchbox Shampoo or Moisturizing Mist - on Amazon and at Target. But those are standalone items, not subscription boxes. You can buy the products, but you won’t get the curated monthly surprise. And if you’re outside the U.S., even those products may not be available locally.
Some U.S. retailers offer international shipping, but the selection is limited. Amazon might carry a few Birchbox-branded items, but not the full subscription experience. And you’ll pay shipping and import fees - often more than the box itself costs.
Will Birchbox Ever Ship Internationally Again?
Unlikely. Birchbox was acquired by QVC in 2021, and since then, its strategy has shifted from discovery to retail. They now focus on selling their own branded products through big retailers, not on managing global logistics for sample boxes.
Their website no longer mentions international shipping. Their customer service team, when asked, replies with a standard script: “We currently only ship to the United States and Canada.” No exceptions. No plans to expand.
If you’re hoping for a return to global shipping, keep an eye on news from QVC - but don’t hold your breath. The market for beauty samples has changed. Local services are cheaper, faster, and more tailored. Birchbox’s global era is over.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, Birchbox is still a great way to test new beauty products without commitment. If you’re anywhere else, you’re better off with a local alternative. The global beauty box scene has evolved - and many services now do what Birchbox once did, but better.
Don’t waste time trying to force Birchbox to ship to your country. Instead, explore the options that already work for you. Your skin - and your wallet - will thank you.
Does Birchbox ship to the UK?
No, Birchbox does not ship to the UK or any other country outside the United States and Canada. They shut down international shipping in 2020 and no longer offer it.
Can I use a package forwarder to get Birchbox?
Technically yes, but it’s risky. Birchbox’s system often blocks orders sent to package forwarding addresses. Even if your order ships, you’ll pay $30-$60 in forwarding fees and possible customs charges. Many users report canceled orders or damaged packages.
Why did Birchbox stop shipping internationally?
High shipping costs, customs complications, product damage during transit, and difficulty managing brand partnerships overseas made international shipping unprofitable. After being acquired by QVC in 2021, Birchbox shifted focus to selling its own products through U.S. retailers instead.
What’s the best alternative to Birchbox for people outside the U.S.?
Ipsy ships to the UK, EU, Australia, and Canada. Boxycharm covers the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia. In Europe, BeautyBar (Germany) and Beauty Box UK are strong local options. These services handle taxes, offer customization, and deliver without customs delays.
Can I buy Birchbox products in stores outside the U.S.?
Some Birchbox-branded items like shampoo and mist are sold on Amazon and at Target, but availability outside the U.S. is very limited. You won’t find the full range, and shipping from the U.S. will add cost and delays. It’s not the same as the subscription box experience.